The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti takes performance handling to the streets

By Taylor Heath

We are all familiar with the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” When it comes to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, this statement holds especially true. Upon first contact with the 612, you may ask yourself whether the machine sitting in front of you is actually a Ferrari: “Where are the sharp lines and air scoops?” This air of doubt passes quickly as your brain begins to process the information your eyes are feeding it, and you come to realize that while most Ferrari’s look at home on the F1 track, the 612 Scaglietti’s beautiful presence is better suited for Ocean Drive.

The beauty of the 612 Scaglietti has as much to do with function as it does with styling. The marriage of sophistication, comfort, and pure performance is evidence that Ferrari’s engineers and designers work closely together. The union results in a car that equates to a professional athlete draped in a custom tailored William Fioravanti suit.

Ferrari set out to deliver us a car that can truly be used as your daily driver, but is still worthy of the Ferrari name. The 612 Scaglietti’s 532hp V12 power-plant will propel this all-aluminum machine from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, all the while with the ability to comfortably sit four 6-foot tall adults in hand-stitched luxury. The 612 Scaglietti also comes equipped with a Sport mode to tighten the suspension, and an F1 mode for faster shifts, both available at the push of a button. On the highway with both sport mode and F1 mode turned off, pacing at 120mph feels as stable as riding along at 40mph. The car is elegantly quiet and smooth. Move the car to a side street or track, however, and the 612 Scaglietti’s Ferrari F1 linage shines through, providing you with a car that is not only agile but extremely responsive.

That is not to imply that this car isn’t special or rare because, like all Ferraris, it is. The $300,000+ price tag ensures that only a select few will have the pleasure of owning this hand-built machine. For this price, however, you’re not only getting an incredible performing and functional automobile, but also something that goes beyond the car.

When you are handed the keys to a Ferrari, be it a 612 Scaglietti or any of their other current models, Ferrari now offers the ability to express yourself with customization options that would even appease the demands of the Prince of Brunei. This is made possible through Ferrari’s new personalization program, Carrozzeria Scaglietti, aptly named after the famous coachbuilder from the 1950’s who offered aftermarket customization features to Ferrari owners of the time.

Today, this unique program allows Ferrari purchasers to customize everything in the car from interior trim, leather color and style, to exterior color, custom wheels, and carbon ceramic material brakes, to name just a few options. It is said that 100% of Ferraris ordered today include at least one custom feature.

But the perks of Ferrari ownership don’t stop after you’ve signed the check. Being a Ferrari owner these days goes beyond the pleasure of driving; it is about the total Ferrari experience. The ownership experience is the direct result of a concerted effort to treat clients less like customers and more like Ferrari kin. As part of this family, you are entitled to attend exclusive events organized by Ferrari, such as a tour of the factory to watch your car being built; the Ferrari Driving School, where you will be taught how to push your car to the limits; an invitation to the up-coming 60th Anniversary in Maranello, Italy; as well as a plethora of regional rallies, driving programs, and gatherings.